KOVIL (.5/5)
	: Silambarasan & Sonia Agarwal
	Music: Harris Jeyaraj
	Direction: Hari
Remark: Fast Paced and Entertaining, but nothing new.

A youthful love story with a communal harmony message. The same story that we have seen and heard a 100 times. It is only the pace of narration, youthful scenes, comedy and music which differentiates this from the rest. This is a mixture of a fast paced ALAIGAL OIVATHILLAI and a slow paced KAADHALUKKU MARIYATHAI. The film is directed by Hari and hence has a lot of expectation (his earlier film SAAMY was a big success). The story is simple, a Hindu Boy (Silambarasan) falling in love with a Christian Girl (Sonia Agarwal). For once Chimbu has acted without his usual style antics. This is what the audience expect out of him, a subdued performance…he needs to keep it going. Sonia Agarwal is a wow! Extremely pretty, can act well, glamorous (should we say sexy)….she has a good future. Chimbu and Sonia though study in the same college, hail from different villages, which have a history of communal clash. Chimbu and Sonia falll in love. Sonia’s dad Nasser is a Christian preacher and strongly opposes their love. Chimbu’s dad, Raajkiran supports their love. Whether the two unite is the story. The first half is fun filled. Vadivel, has done a great job, his comedy performance off late, is getting very popular. Harris Jeyaraj’s music is brilliant. Special mention needs to be made on the fast paced “Meley Meley Poyiputen” whose picturization is a beauty. “Aralivedayil Aracha” and “Kokku Meena Thinuma” are other good songs. The director needs appreciation for making it a perfect entertainer. The stretched Climax, might kill the momentum, but can be discounted. The screenplay is very lively. The cycle race scene is a highlight. The story has Nagerkoil in background and hence the title KOIL (The director has earlier directed THAMIZH in Madurai and SAAMY in Thirunelveli…he is now directing Vikram’s ARUL in Coimbatore). Kovil – Chimbu’s prayers are answered..

- Gokul Santhanam & Prem Anand S